A recent decision by Brazos County commissioners has a local non-profit facing a budget dilemma.

Scotty's House expected to receive $12,000 in juror donations this year. But, earlier this month, commissioners voted to take it off the list, citing favoritism and too much work for the county. Jurors can now only donate to two state-required options, The Child Welfare Board and The Crime Victims' Compensation Fund.

Now, Scotty's House, a safe haven for abused children, is facing a budget shortfall while dealing the rainfall.

With the rain falling so fast in Bryan, the facility is unable to keep the water out.

A new building and location is on the way but in the mean time, Virgil Marko donates his time and services by cleaning Scotty's House each and every time it rains.

"The work that they do for our community, there is no way to put a price tag on it or say it's of a certain value, it's priceless," said Marko.

But a recent decision by the Brazos County commissioners could take thousands of dollars away from the organization.

"We don't have a guaranteed source of funding from year to year in any way. So it's a big loss," said Executive Director Linda Patton.

Marko is upset with the commissioners decision and thinks most people don't appreciate the work that goes on at the faculty.

"This is reality TV. If the viewing audience could see what they have to go through when they're performing their mission, their job. They would walk away crying. It's that tough," said Marko.

And now with rain water flooding in as fast as the tears fall at Scotty's House, keeping it afloat is taking a lot of work.

"It's just heartbreaking that we have to work so darn hard to keep the doors open," said Patton.

Friday, Scotty's House sent a letter to county commissioners asking them to re-consider their vote.
News 3 talked to Brazos County Judge Randy Sims, who says at this time there are no plans to re-visit the topic.

Here's the letter the board of directors wrote Friday asking that Scotty's House be kept on the list and that commissioners add other non-profits that serve victims of crime and that directly provide court-related services:

"From my point of view serving our community is taking advantage of every opportunity we have to serve our community to take care of our people to protect our people to do the things that are important to maintain the welfare of our community," Virgil Marko a Scotty's House Board Member said.

Scotty's House is a child advocacy center. It is a safe place where physically and sexually abused children can go to ensure they receive the medical and mental health services needed to relieve the physical, emotional and psychological trauma caused by abuse.

Here's the letter written by Sheriff Chris Kirk, President of the Scotty's House Board of Directors, on behalf of the Scotty's House Board of Directors and Staff to Brazos County Judge Randy Sims and all county commissioners:

"It has come to the attention of the Scotty's House Child Advocacy Center Board of Directors that the Commissioners Court recently voted to remove Scotty's House from the list of agencies to which citizens may donate their juror payments. We are writing to request that you reconsider your vote, and return Scotty's House to the list as an option.

You are no doubt aware of the services provided by Scotty's House. The goal of this letter is to emphasize the fact that Scotty's House directly impacts court proceedings of crime victims by providing services to law enforcement agencies, as well as both prosecuting and defense attorneys. Without the evidence and testimony provided by and through Scotty's House staff and partners, court cases could not and would not be as efficiently tried in Brazos and outlying counties as they are now.

We understand your position of not wanting to choose one non-profit group over another. However, we feel it would serve the public's best interest to return Scotty's House to the list of choices, and at the same time add all non-profit organizations that serve victims of crime and that directly provide court-related services.

Last year, jurors chose to donate $20,000 to Scotty's House. That donation greatly contributed to offsetting the costs of examinations (which resulted in evidence) and equipment and training for interviews (which resulted in testimony).

In short, we implore you to reconsider your vote.

Very sincerely,
Christopher C. Kirk
As Representative for The Scotty's House Board of Directors and Staff